Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the failure to report for a VA examination and lack of recent medical records. The case will be reviewed again after obtaining these documents.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his inability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and right lower extremity disabilities are not related to his service-connected bilateral inguinal hernia.,An evaluation in excess of 30 percent for the Veteran's bilateral inguinal hernia is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding whether he has any complications from his diabetes, such as cardiovascular disease and renal disease.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a lack of recent VA examinations for his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic neuropathy. The RO must verify the Veteran's current address and schedule him for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as a higher rating for traumatic arthritis of the left knee, were granted. The claim for service connection for an eye disability was denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, right and left upper extremities due to pending issues not being properly addressed in the previous decision. The TDIU claim is also considered as it may be impacted by the outcome of these service connection claims.

The Veteran's residuals of a cold injury, including peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, are found to be related to service.,The Veteran's right hand and arm disability is found to be related to service.,The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is found to be related to service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure. However, there is no evidence of current peripheral neuropathy in the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is not related to service, and therefore denied his claim.

The Veteran's death was determined to be caused by his service-connected disabilities, specifically depression resulting from his diabetes and other conditions. The claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is dismissed as the cause of death claim has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and a neurological examination to assess the extent of his service-connected post-operative left inguinal hernia.

The Veteran's multiple service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and right foot conditions, prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent, and his left arm neuropathy is rated at 60 percent. Both conditions meet the criteria for these ratings based on their severity.

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for reimbursement of unauthorized, non-VA medical expenses incurred on November 1-2, 2005 at a private hospital due to lack of emergency circumstances and failure to obtain prior authorization.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is not related to his service-connected lumbar L5-S1 herniated disc and right-sided radiculopathy. The Veteran's left knee disability, including medial meniscectomy with early degenerative joint disease, meets criteria for a 30 percent rating based on limitation of extension.

The Veteran was granted increased ratings for his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities. The right lower extremity received a 20 percent rating, and the left lower extremity received a 30 percent rating.,Prior to February 5, 2008, the disability was rated at 10 percent; from that date forward, it is rated at 20 percent for each affected limb.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and its complications, did not render him unemployable prior to November 29, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no credible evidence of exposure to herbicides or asbestos in service, and the current presence of diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, bilateral eye disability, bilateral lung condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, skeletal arthritis, arthritis of the right hand, left shoulder, and left elbow, peptic ulcer disease, and headaches were not established.